Download, listen or watch all podcasts

Ven. Ledi Sayadaw: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson

"Ven. Ledi Sayadaw was the first vipassana teacher that we know of in this tradition in modern times with such detail. His great innovation was to start spreading the actual practice widely and to householders."

In this video, Patrick Given-Wilson explores the life of this meditation master and magnificent pariyatti scholar who authored over a hundred expositions on the Dhamma. He was perhaps the most outstanding Buddhist figure of his age. All who have come in contact with the path of Dhamma in recent years owe a great debt of gratitude to this scholarly, saintly monk who was instrumental in reviving the traditional practice of vipassana, making it more available for renunciates and lay people alike.

Our Best and Most Lasting Gift: The Universal Features of Meditation (University of Colorado, Boulder)

Our Best and Most Lasting Gift:
The Universal Features of Meditation
a lecture by Paul R. Fleischman, M.D. delivered at the University of Colorado, Boulder

This talk was originally written in response to an invitation from multiple sponsors at Yale University. Various versions of this talk were given at Northeastern University, New York University, The University of Washington, Seattle; The University of British Columbia, Vancouver; the University of Colorado, Boulder; Harvard University, and Brown University, as well as at Dhamma Patapa Vipassana Center, Georgia.

This particular version of the talk was recorded at the University of Colorado, Boulder and is meant as an introductory talk that uses no technical language, and that contains explanations that require no previous biological knowledge. (Please understand that due to recording problems, the question-and-answer session ends abruptly.)

Another recording of this talk from the University of Washington, Seattle is geared more towards a university audience. It is a little more technical, and may perhaps be appreciated more by someone familiar with biological understanding. It looks upon meditation from a biological standpoint.

Paul R. Fleischman
audio recorded at the University of Colorado, Boulder
Sept. 29, 2016
59 minutes (with 15 min. Q. & A.)
PDF download of the talk also available below

Our Best and Most Lasting Gift: The Universal Features of Meditation (University of Washington, Seattle)

Our Best and Most Lasting Gift:
The Universal Features of Meditation
a lecture by Paul R. Fleischman, M.D. delivered at the University of Washington, Seattle

This talk was originally written in response to an invitation from multiple sponsors at Yale University. Various versions of this talk were given at Northeastern University, New York University, The University of Washington, Seattle; The University of British Columbia, Vancouver; the University of Colorado, Boulder; Harvard University, and Brown University, as well as at Dhamma Patapa Vipassana Center, Georgia.

This version of the talk was recorded at the The University of Washington, Seattle is geared more towards a university audience. It is a little more technical, and may perhaps be appreciated more by someone familiar with biological understanding. It looks upon meditation from a biological standpoint.

Another recording of this talk from the University of Colorado and is meant as an introductory talk that uses no technical language, and that contains explanations that require no previous biological knowledge. If you want to listen to both talks, consider listening to the Colorado talk first.

Paul R. Fleischman
audio recorded at The University of Washington, Seattle
April 21, 2016
1 hour 4 minutes
PDF download of the talk also available below

Ven. Webu Sayadaw: a talk by Patrick Given-Wilson

Webu Sayadaw was important for two reasons. One was that in his time he became one of the most venerated monks in Burma; he was known as an arahant, a fully-liberated person. And the second reason is that he encouraged Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Goenkaji's teacher, to start teaching meditation without delay. For a householder to be encouraged by a monk of such standing, gave Sayagyi enormous status, prestige and backing in his work throughout his life.

In this video, Patrick Given-Wilson explores this important relationship between Ven. Webu Sayadaw and Sayagyi U Ba Khin taking us through the significant life events of this inspiring monk who was known for giving all importance to diligent practice over scholastic achievement.